Sara J. O'Connell

Sara O’Connell litigates intellectual property matters in the federal courts and before the International Trade Commission (“ITC”).

Ms. O’Connell successfully tried numerous jury and bench trials before federal district judges in the Southern District of California in her role as a former Assistant United States Attorney.  She also briefed, argued and won multiple appeals resulting in written decisions before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and handled grand jury investigations that led to several criminal indictments.  Ms. O’Connell further has invaluable experience appearing before the national media and forming political and legislative strategies, gained during her previous experience as the Communications Director for a Member of the United States Congress.

Representative Matters

• MicroUnity Systems Engineering, Inc., v. Apple, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:10-cv-91-LED-RSP (E.D. Tex.) - Defended a well-known semiconductor design and manufacturing company in a patent infringement case relating to technology used in media processors on smartphone chips; resulted in favorable settlement for the client.
• In the Matter of Certain Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Devices, Investigation No. 337-TA-840 (ITC) - Successfully represented the complainant in an patent infringement case relating to integrated circuit devices and package designs; resulted in favorable settlement for the client.

Previous Experience

• Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Southern District of California (2008-2012)
• Litigation Associate at a large international law firm (2005-2008)
• Communications Director, United States Representative Jay Inslee (1997-2005)

Pro Bono

• Recipient of Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services.
• Successful appeal of Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision resulting in written opinion.  See Lopez-Rodriguez v. Mukasey, 536 F.3d 1012, 1015 (9th Cir. 2008).
• Currently representing pro bono client in appeal of denial of petition for habeas corpus relief.

Memberships and Affiliations

• Regular volunteer at University of California at San Diego Medical Center.

Publications and Speeches

• "Restating the Obvious: Supreme Court Reverse Long-Standing Federal Circuit Test," Federal Bar Association, San Diego Chapter Summer Newsletter (2007), Author
• "Perfect Arbitration Clause Should be Tailored for Client," San Diego Daily Transcript (5/22/2006), Author
• "Counting Down Another Music Marathon: Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels and the Case of Internet Radio," Marquette University Intellectual Property Law Review, Vol. 8, Issue 1 (Winter 2004)